There’s no point picking at your skin or popping those annoying pimples, right? We all know that it is a bad idea to try to pop them yourself. It can cause more harm than good. And if you’ve already sinned against your skin (lol that’s what I like to call it), then a pimple patch may be your saving grace.
In this article/post we will explore how pimple patches work on the skin and whether they are effective at fighting acne. But first, let’s briefly look at why pimples occur and why.
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Why do pimples occur?
Pimples are caused by clogged or inflamed oil glands or an increase in pimple-causing bacteria on your skin.
When a combination of sebum and dead skin cells clogs hair follicles, acne develops. There is a possibility that bacteria can cause inflammation and infection, resulting in more severe acne. Acne comes in a variety of forms, such as blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, and others. Check the article here to learn more about pimples 🙂
Among the most common treatments are home remedies, prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and pimple patches. At first, you may wonder what they are. If that’s the case, let’s find
out together. 🙂 Even if you do a bit of refreshment of knowledge is good for everyone, isn’t it LOL 😉
To learn more about acne on sensitive skin, check out the article here.
What are pimple patches?
Pimple patches are circular stickers that stick to the affected area to help with the healing process. They typically contain moisturizers and antibacterial ingredients and may also be made with all-natural ingredients such as aloe vera, chamomile, or lavender.
Why are they used?
Pimple patches accelerate healing by adsorbing toxins trapped under your skin while protecting them from external bacteria, sunlight, and face picking. Also, a pimple patch prevents you from picking at your acne because they act as a cover-up. It is also used to prevent sun exposure from causing acne to heal.
Their main purpose is not to reduce the itch, but to help the healing process by reducing swelling and lowering pain.
It is intended for surface-level, easy-to-treat acne, also known as superficial acne. However, some people trying to use them for deeper, cystic acne.
They are intended to treat acne that appears superficially, such as pus-filled bumps, blackheads, and whiteheads, but not necessarily for more severe acne.
To absorb the pimple’s contents and encourage the spot to heal, blemish patches are small “stickers” that can be applied to breakouts.
In addition to patches designed to address small blemishes, larger sheets are also available to treat larger problems. However, in this matter, it is always a better idea to consult an expert. The worse and more complicated an acne problem is, the better it is to consult a dermatologist.
What are they made of?
In general, they’re made of a flexible yet impermeable silicone outer layer with a gel-based hydrocolloid inner layer. The hydrocolloid used in pimple patches helps heal chronic wounds by absorbing moisture. Pimple patches made of hydrocolloids also help absorb oil and bacteria.
Typically, hydrocolloid bandages do not contain blemish-fighting ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. As a result, they do not help the blemish heal.
Patches work in two ways when applied to spots, such as pimples. Firstly, it provides a moist (and clean) environment for the spot to grow in. Also, the outer layer of the patch prevents microbes from entering the blemish, preventing infections.
How long do pimple patches work?
Initially, pimple patches are very effective, but their effectiveness eventually starts to fade. Most pimple patches are designed so that you can apply the patch in 15 seconds and remove it in 10 minutes.
Although they’re excellent at reducing the symptoms of a pimple, you may have to try 3 or 4 versions of the patch to find what’s best for you. They can stay on for several days, giving you time to find a solution that works for you.
It’s usually left on overnight, but I like to keep them on for a few days (don’t ask me why, lol :D).
Although it hasn’t been proven to work, I’ve found that keeping the patch on my skin for a longer period makes it more effective. Sometimes it completely clears out the pimple!
My favourite is the Dots for Spot Acne Patches, which contains 24 translucent hydrocolloid pimple patches. The fact that it is vegan and cruelty-free means that it is dry-sensitive friendly, and you can use it on both your face and body!
So far, I have found the HRFZ Rain Acne removal patches to be the most effective since they contain salicylic acid, which promotes wound healing and reduces scarring. If you are interested you can shop it here. Dont worry this is not sponsored I just care so much about y’all and wanted to let you know. 😉
How to use it?
To get the best results from pimple patches, you’ll need to wear them for a few hours before going to sleep. Some versions can be worn during the day due to their inconspicuous design.
Make sure your skin is completely dry before applying your pimple patch, as wet skin won’t adhere as well to the patches. Before applying the patch to your so-called ‘fresh pimple’, make sure your skin is clean.
Remember, pimple patches only work on open wounds, so apply them over your zit and leave them on for the recommended time (varies by product). Taking it off may result in a smaller, less inflamed blemish.
What should you look for in a pimple patch?
A good ingredient to look for is salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. It’s a staple treatment for acne,” dermatologist Krishnan says.
If you have severe acne, like large, painful pimples under the skin, you may need to receive cortisol injections or other treatments that pimple patches may not be able to provide. In this regard, it is advisable to consult an expert.
What to note & take into consideration?
Even though pimple patches can be very effective on existing pimples, they do have some significant limitations.
These patches are unlikely to penetrate to the level that can help cystic acne, dermatologist Krishnan said.
In addition, blackheads, and whiteheads, which doctors refer to as comedones, will not be treated with pimple patches. These products are merely spotted treatments for active bumps and are not capable of preventing acne, clearing clogged pores, or preventing acne flare-ups.
Most people find pimple patches unhelpful – which means they won’t worsen acne, but they won’t help it either.
You might also want to take precautions if you are allergic to adhesives since they may irritate the skin.
In addition, although ingredients such as salicylic acid or tea tree oil are sometimes key components to look for that help to dry out pimples more easily, they may irritate or dry sensitive skin.
Due to my dry sensitive skin, the HRZF Rain acne removal patches, which contain salicylic acid, do not irritate my skin at all. I use them frequently, especially when those annoying pimples appear. So, this varies from person to person. Pimple patches are generally safe to use and do not cause any issues except that some may not find them to be the best acne treatment.
To conclude we have seen how pimple patches work. Although not fully effective in treating pimples it can be a quick and fast way to try to accelerate the healing process of a formed pimple. They are super affordable, and you can get as many as you like and see what it does to your skin. Ultimately, it is all about learning what works and what doesn’t for you when it comes to skincare products. Thanks for reading and if you have any questions drop them down below! 🙂
